Employees Remain Businesses' Biggest White-Collar Crime Threat

VISALIA, Calif. -- While white-collar criminals wield creative tools such as antennas made from Pringles cans and electronics disguised as pink duckies, these innovations are not businesses' biggest threat.

Employees are still the No. 1 vulnerability to companies when it comes to high-tech white-collar crime, computer and law enforcement experts say.

Lozito and other computer and law enforcement representatives spoke Tuesday at a seminar on white-collar crime sponsored by the Tulare County District Attorney's Office.

The forum -- designed to raise public awareness -- covered new developments in cybercrime, identity theft and hacking and information on what to do after a business has been attacked.

"You certainly wouldn't leave your business place with your door wide open and your alarm not set," Lozito said about educating employees and taking preventive steps.

Not all crimes will be committed by employees, but workers ignorant of dangers do provide access to friends or strangers, experts said.

For example, one criminal entered a romantic relationship with an employee because the worker took home confidential credit reports from the company, said Robert Holman, a Fresno-based special agent with the U.S. Secret Service.